I’ve been the proud owner of a new iPhone 4S for nearly two weeks. I love it. I didn’t realize how much I was missing without a phone. As you may remember (likely not, because it was about me) I wrote a piece a week and a half ago on why I was getting the iPhone 4S. Spoiler: I bought it mostly because I’d never had a phone before (seriously).
As you’ve heard by now, the three major features (not including iOS 5) Apple is touting on the iPhone 4S is the new A5 chip, the improved camera, and Siri. All of them are impressive, but by far the most amazing is Siri. Yes, a faster processor is always nice, and the camera is better than my family’s point-and-shoot that is only a few years old, but Siri takes the cake.
Siri just works. Every once and awhile it will have trouble connecting to the network (Sprint’s fault, not Apple’s. You’re milage may vary) and will fail to work. Other than those rare occasions, it works amazingly. It cuts through my accent with no problem. Very rarely does it misunderstand me, and to be honest, it’s probably due to my sloppy vernacular, and not a failure of the technology. Well, perhaps it is, but that’s a stretch.
Siri excites me, in the sense that it is still in it’s infancy. Just think of what it can do a few years from now. It also stands to cut into Google’s search revenue, with iPhone users asking Siri a question, instead of actually searching with Google. Yes, I know it searches Google by default when it doesn’t know the answer to your question, but it also asks Wolfram Alpha, and other services, thus cutting into Google’s fortune. Also it’s not a replacement to the standard UI, but rather an excellent supplement. It makes some tasks easier such as setting up reminders.
I also love the look and feel of the device. This is nothing new to veteran iPhone owners, but it is to me. It’s a dense, solid, un-rattling slab of a pocket computer. It feels great, and it’s design is timeless. I sincerely believe the iPhone 4/4S design will be remembered much the same way the original Macintosh, iMacs, and iPod are for their design. This is iPhone at it’s best. That’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if next year’s model looks the same as this one.
Overall I love the device. But, I am biased and I knew I would. I would recommend that you go try one at a local retailer. Siri truly is amazing. The faster processor makes everything feel snappier, and the camera really is world-class. If you’ve never had an iPhone before, or if you have a pre-iPhone 4 model, this is an excellent purchase. That said, those who already own an iPhone 4 probably aren’t going to be missing that much. The iPhone 4S is an evolution, not a revolution, but Apple has never pitched it as more than such.
Continue reading:
- Everything New Apple Just Announced (Septembe
- Apple Watch Pre-Order
- Apple Research Kit launches with 5 Apps
- Apple TV now only $69
TAGS: A5, iphone 4s, Siri
